On weekend mornings, the center of Ho Chi Minh City is packed with people coming to enjoy pho from all three regions of Vietnam.

On the morning of December 13th, the opening ceremony of the Pho Day 2025 program took place at the former Tax Department Store area, 135 Nguyen Hue Street, Saigon Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.

This year's program, themed "Elevating Vietnamese Rice – Spreading Across Five Continents," is organized by Tuoi Tre Newspaper, with the support and collaboration of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Cultural Diplomacy - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Department of Trade Promotion - Ministry of Industry and Trade , the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade, and the Vietnam Culinary Culture Association. It will take place over the weekend of December 13th and 14th.

The highlight of the event is that attendees can explore and enjoy the flavors of pho from nearly 30 brands from North to South Vietnam, all at the same price of 40,000 VND per bowl. Some pho restaurants stated they would demonstrate the process of making the noodles, cooking the broth, and preparing the dish on the spot, allowing diners not only to enjoy the taste but also to witness the elaborate pho-making process firsthand.

Diners can enjoy pho at the event currently taking place in the former Tax Department Store area, 135 Nguyen Hue Street, Saigon Ward.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Dung said that Pho Day 2025 is an opportunity for people and tourists to honor pho - a dish that has become a cultural symbol and a source of pride for Vietnamese people.

The festival also contributes to stimulating consumer demand and promoting the city's economy and tourism towards sustainable growth. Activities like Pho Day help elevate Vietnamese products, agricultural produce, and brands, including supporting the food processing industry in a modern direction…

- Ảnh 2. — Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Dung speaks at Pho Day. Photo: Quang Dinh

According to Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang, Pho Day, especially with its international version, the Vietnam Pho Festival, contributes to connecting businesses and foreign partners, creating opportunities to promote exports of Vietnamese products: from rice, spices, processed foods, beverages, to deeply processed and packaged foods meeting international standards.

Many countries have successfully built national brands from products associated with their culinary culture, such as Japanese ramen and sobar; Korean kimchi, Italian pizza… Vietnamese pho can absolutely do the same.

"In fact, the recent Vietnam Pho Festivals in Japan, South Korea, and Singapore have proven that a single dish can pave the way for an entire product ecosystem: rice - meat - spices - processed foods - beverages - coffee - logistics."

"A food festival can help businesses access the market and expand exports. A cultural event can create a greater media impact than any single commercial promotion campaign," observed Ms. Phan Thi Thang.

- Ảnh 3. — Delegates visit booths at the festival. Photo: Quang Dinh

- Ảnh 4. — A range of pho brands were present at the event, including Pho Thin Bo Ho (Hanoi), Lac Hong Pho (Nam Dinh), Pho Minh Pasteur, ATISPHO (Da Lat), Pho Do - Bac Ha (Lao Cai), Pho Phat Tai, Pho Nghi (Can Tho), Pho Vit Quay (Lang Son), Pho Hai Thien, Pho San - Que Son (Quang Nam), Pho H'Mong Village (Ha Giang), Pho Since 1960 (Bac Giang), Pho Tau Bay (Ho Chi Minh City)... Photo: Quang Dinh

- Ảnh 5. — The Phat Tai pho food truck is an initiative among pho stalls at Pho Day 2025. Owner Trinh Nguyen Hung Dung said he plans to bring his food truck to orphanages and special schools to bring warm bowls of pho to underprivileged children... Photo: Quang Dinh

At some stalls, in addition to enjoying the taste of pho, diners can also learn about the process of making pho noodles, cooking the broth, and witness demonstrations of pho preparation.